# GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer vs References

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: References at none against GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer's 4. References also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 69%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer's advantage is ratings volume (14K vs 25) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer costs $5.99 and References $4.99 up front. GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. References asks for nothing beyond the download.

References holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer has 14K ratings behind it against 25, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer's written reviews are positive against 88% of References's.

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer ships an update weekly, References monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer | References |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $5.99 | **$4.99** |
| Rating | [4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodreader-pdf-editor-and-viewer/id777310222/reviews) | **[4.9 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/references/id1481843213/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **14K** | 25 |
| Positive reviews | 68.7% of reviews | **87.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#75** | — |
| Size | 53 MB | 55 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Good.iWare, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/289191291) | [Benjamin Burton](https://appshunter.io/developer/687735578) |

## What reviewers say

### GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodreader-pdf-editor-and-viewer/id777310222)

**Currently charting:** #75 Top Paid · Productivity (US App Store)

This app offers robust PDF editing and viewing capabilities, alongside comprehensive file management tools. It allows users to annotate PDFs, manage files from various cloud services, and secure sensitive data with advanced encryption. Enjoy a superior reading experience with features like PDF Reflow and split-screen viewing.

**Highlights:** PDF annotation and editing, Extensive file format support, Cloud service integration (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.), AES-256 military-grade encryption, Split-screen viewing for iPad, File management and organization

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Pack (monthly) | $2.99 | per month |
| Pro Pack (annual) | $17.99 | per year |
| Auto Sync | $9.99 | one-time |
| Pro Pack | $79.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent for reading and annotating PDFs
- 📚 Powerful file management and organization
- 💻 Seamless integration with cloud storage
- 🎨 Customizable reading experience
- ⚙️ Robust set of features and capabilities

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Subscription model for some features
- 🔀 Cluttered interface after recent update
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 📁 Difficulty migrating files from older versions
- 🖌️ Lacking palm rejection and customizable Apple Pencil controls

**Reported bugs**

- Syncing issues with cloud storage providers
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between apps

**Requested features**

- Continuous scrolling for better reading experience
- Improved search functionality with advanced filters
- Ability to set custom color schemes and themes
- Enhanced support for ebook formats like EPUB
- Streamlined annotation tools and workflow


### References

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/references/id1481843213)

Browse and interact with your BibTeX libraries on your mobile device. View references, follow links, and access file attachments like PDFs. Supports both classic BibTeX and BibLaTeX formats.

**Highlights:** Browse BibTeX libraries, Search references, Follow links (DOIs, URLs), View file attachments (PDFs), Supports BibLaTeX, Group by keywords

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer free?

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer costs $5.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is References free?

References costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer or References?

References is rated higher. GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 14K ratings, while References averages 4.9 from 25 ratings.

### Do GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer or References have ads?

Neither GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer nor References shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer or References?

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer ships an update weekly, and References monthly. Most recently, GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer was updated on September 29, 2026 and References on September 23, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*